Krishna on four-day visit to Japan

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna will travel to Japan on Thurday for a four-day visit aimed at pushing the bilateral ties, particularly in trade and investment sphere against the backdrop of global economic crisis.

The global meltdown is expected to figure prominently in the talks that Krishna will have with his counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone as part of annual strategic dialogue.

"During this visit, the External Affairs Minister will review our bilateral partnership with Japan. The two Foreign Ministers will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest," a statement by External Affairs Ministry said.

The two sides would be looking at ways to step up two-way trade and investment particularly against the backdrop of global financial crisis.

Krishna and Nakasone are also expected to discuss the reform of international institutions like the UN and financial bodies.

The two leaders are expected to discuss approaches to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Japan as well as exchange views concerning cooperation between the two countries towards regional and international challenges, a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.